HOMES DECKED OUT FOR SWIM TEAM TOUR

Bucheit's home is on this year's Christmas Home Tour. Marcia Bucheit straightens a centerpiece in her dining room.

It's the holiday season and the Jackson Swim Team is at it again with another set of beautifully decorated homes for their annual Christmas Home Tour.

The number one fund raiser for the organization will be held today from 1-5 p.m.

The tour will visit the homes of Jon and Marcia Bucheit on Lakeview Lane, Rick and Mary Ziegler on Bainbridge, David and Carol Bill on Woodland Drive, George and Sharon Sparzynski on Georgia and Bernard and Alice Proffer on Donna Drive.

The first home on the tour is the Bucheit home overlooking Meier Lake in the Meier Lake Subdivision off Hwy. 34.

This story and a half in-ground home, located at 134 Lakeview Lane in the Meier Meadows Subdivision, will be adorned with holiday decorations that set the tone for a real country Christmas experience.

A collection of handcrafted, primitive Santas are surrounded by heirloom quilts in the vaulted great room as you enter the home.

The kitchen has a gingerbread theme and as you tour the home the mixture of antiques and holiday treasures will put you in the right mood for the remainder of the tour.

The next house featured this year is the home of the Zieglers. Traditional wreaths and red bows grace each window. The foyer is graciously decorated with greenery and white poinsettias.

The house is traditionally decorated and will give those touring it many great ideas for their own Christmas decorations.

The Proffer home, located at 853 Donna Dr., is a stately two-story modern farmhouse with a large wrap-a-round porch which is draped in garland with burgundy bows.

The formal living room is entered through French doors, there you will see a seven-foot Christmas tree decked out in Victorian splendor. Sweetheart Florist has assisted Mrs. Proffer with decorating.

The beautiful decorations are enlivened by splendid live plants and floral arrangements that will surely please.

Next the tour travel to the Sparzynski's home at 303 N. Georgia. This home was built in 1910 and has a Dutch influenced design.

The front yard is a holiday wonderland. A gingerbread boy and girl greet visitors at the gingerbread house neighborhood. Santa and reindeer are ready to fly at moments notice in the side yard while candy cane lights and garland surround the entrance to the house. A wreath accented with sugar plums and candy canes greets you at the door.

Inside you are sure to be pleased with what the Sparzynski's have done with the place.

The Bill's home at 1022 Woodland Dr. is the final stop on the tour. This home also built in 1910 is beautifully adorned in holiday spirit.

Along with the spectacular decorations be sure to study the wonderful architectural antiques that are located throughout the home.

This historical house sets grandly on the well kept grounds which surround it. The restoration of this home by the Bills is going well and it is sure to be a highlight of today's tour.

The money made from the tour will go to pay the payroll, equipment and operational funds for the team, according to Bonnie Poythress.

The parent run organization has been preparing for the fund raiser by getting tickets printed, getting home owners involved and getting some support from area florists to help with decorations.

This fund raiser usually raises $2,000 for the team. The team is growing as the community is growing, Poythress said.

The swim team is a very positive activity for kids in the community, according to Poythress.

There are many incentives to keep the kids interested in the sport.

Tickets for the tour can be obtained at the door of any of the homes on the tour.